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Preaching Is Hard Until You Learn These 7 Rules | Jerry Jones

13 hours ago
10 min read

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Some sermons connect and some just don’t. In this episode, I sit down with Jerry Jones, author of We Preach, longtime UPCI pastor, and former general secretary-treasurer, to talk about the craft behind preaching that moves people.


After more than 55 years in ministry and now teaching the next generation of preachers at Urshan College, Brother Jones breaks down how to open strong, tell stories people can see, build a sermon around one clear idea, and close with a next step instead of a summary. He also shares the honest stories behind the lessons, including the sermon that backfired and the call to preach he almost didn’t answer. If you preach, teach, or lead from the front of a room, this conversation will sharpen how you communicate. 





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Transcript


Welcome to the Christian Leader Made Simple podcast. I'm your host, Ryan Franklin, and I'm an executive coach and the Vice President of Strategic Leadership and Operations for Pentecostal Resources Group and the United Pentecostal Church International. If you're leading in ministry or a business, then you likely know just how easy it is to get scattered, lose your focus, and start feeling ineffective. I've been there myself, and that's why I created the Christian Leader Self Assessment. It's free and in just 10 minutes, it'll show you exactly how to gain clarity and confidence as a leader. Go to ryanfranklin.org or click the link in the description to take the assessment today.


And so now let's dive into today's episode.


Every preacher that's been preaching and teaching long enough knows the feeling: you've got a word from the Lord and you're carrying this deep burden. But many times there's a struggle that happens somewhere between the time of study and the pulpit. Sometimes that struggle doesn't go your way, and while people are typically polite about it, their response could be subpar. It may leave you wondering if the problem was the message, the messenger, or something else.


Today's guest has spent over 45 years honing the craft of preaching. He's known for his quality preaching among the apostolic movement and has written a book called *We Preach* that gives preachers the language for what makes preaching actually work. Jerry Jones pastored for decades, served as the General Secretary Treasurer of the United Pentecostal Church International for 20 years, and has preached in more than 30 nations. He now teaches preaching full time at Ursuline College, which means he's not just reflecting on a well-lived career; he's actually shaping the next generation of preachers. I really admire that about him.


If you've ever wondered why some sermons connect and others fall flat, or if you're a leader who communicates in any capacity, then this conversation is for you today.


Welcome Brother Jones, Brother Jerry Jones to the podcast.


Thank you, Brother Franklin. It's my honor to be here. Thank you for the opportunity.


I know you're in between teaching a class and running to a meeting, so this is... You're a busy guy even when you're supposed to be "retired." You're burning the candle at both ends, aren't you?


Retirement was a word coined by other people. I've never felt that I was retired. But I'm doing what I love, so that's not work.


Absolutely. Well, I've got a few questions I want to ask related to your book, and I'll do my best to get through them—I'm under the weather a little bit; my throat is... my voice is going in and out. So we'll do our best here.


You wanted to be a scientist growing up—names like Faraday, Edison, Galileo—they were all your heroes. Let's go back to those early days: what was it like getting the call to preach when you had a completely different dream in mind?


Well, of course that moment came when I was filled with the Holy Ghost. My family had a Pentecostal background but I wasn't really reared in a Pentecostal home. When I was 13, a family came into the church and I received the Holy Ghost at 13.


Calling is individual—even in Scripture different people were called in different ways—and it's that way with me too. Underneath everything else, I knew I was called but I didn't want to be a preacher. To put it bluntly: all my life one of my great interests was science; I read books about it from when I learned to read. That was my career path—the one I chose.


When I got the Holy Ghost—of course with excitement and joy—you want to do what God wants you to do. But I successfully talked myself out of being called to preach! I thought I'd be a great saint serving God but would pursue chemistry first; then physics; I'd be a scientist fulfilling my passion.


I continued down that path until I was a physics major at University of Louisiana at Monroe. There were only eight Apostolic kids on campus so we banded together quickly realizing if I'm going to serve God I've got to get with the program.


I set up habits—I prayed more, fasted more, read the Bible more—but ironically, the more I did these things, the more I knew I was called to preach. So I struggled with it.


One night at a youth rally in Bastrop, Louisiana—a small town north of Monroe—the preacher spoke about God's calling. A couple Sundays before that service Brother Elton Bernard (Brother David Bernard's father) told his story: he had been called as missionary to Korea but suffered a horrific car accident while deputizing; he was seriously injured in hospital bed next door when someone told him he must be out of God's will because God wouldn't let this happen if he were truly called.


Brother Bernard replied he didn't understand why but said God only told him once—and here he was still obedient despite struggles over four or five years with his call.


A couple Fridays later at that youth rally where they preached on calling—I knelt between pews and accepted my call there.


It was surrendering—saying I'll do what You want; it's not about me—and in that surrender came peace, fulfillment, joy—and I've been in ministry ever since.


That was toward late 1970? You preached first after accepting that call in February 1971?


Yes! This past February marked 55 years since I've been preaching; I received my UPCI license 55 years ago this month—and that calling has sustained me without regret surrendering to it.


So peace accompanied your surrender—was that undeniable?


Yes! At some level I'd known all along; once accepted there was no doubt—that was God's purpose for me—and that's where peace comes from: knowing decision's made; no revisiting constantly; knowing what you're supposed to do.


I still love science—I read books on discoveries—but never regretted following God's call instead of earthly passion.


That's significant because many wrestle with finding their true calling even into late years; your simplicity resonates deeply with many listeners.


You write every good introduction must arouse interest, secure favor, prepare to lead—and you've got about seven seconds in a sermon to prove you're worth listening to.


How do you personally use those first seconds? What's biggest mistake preachers make there?


I'm quoting Roger Ailes (founder of Fox News), who said "you have seven seconds" to convince hearers you're worth listening to.


I tell students Pentecostal congregations might give more than seven seconds because they want you blessed—they're pulling for you—but don't expect much longer than seven seconds overall.


Mistakes happen before opening mouth: preachers who are disengaged from service; come arrogantly or timidly—hesitant steps up—or come purposefully with humility yet confidence communicating "I'm here by God's will; I've something important."


That shows in demeanor: body language & facial expression before speaking—and when speaking reinforce it by thanking pastor (if guest), congregation—showing respect & good manners which subconsciously builds connection & favor.


Always say something good about church choir or pastor & family—that's polite & proper but also signals humility—not thinking anyone owes you anything or you're star performer—which builds audience kinship & invites them into message.


If someone special is present (district superintendent etc.) mention them—not for brownie points but showing respect & making connection—these moments create impression drawing listeners closer before message begins.


I've heard some say do introduction first then thank-yous before message—how do you feel about that?


It depends—sometimes I'll walk up reading text allowing congregation seating during worship song before formally thanking pastor etc.—especially if thank-yous are lengthy—but usually brief compliments suffice without dragging on too long.


Sometimes you'll be introduced before last worship song ends so you'll take pulpit during worship flow then read text & flow with what God's doing before thanking pastor etc.—all flexible approaches work as long as pulpit taken confidently without arrogance or timidity—never start by saying "I agonized over what to preach" which conveys uncertainty instead of confidence God spoke through you.


So flexibility combined with social intelligence reading room helps determine best approach but key is confident presence & respectful attitude upfront.


In your book you share story of young woman confronting you over line from Brother Carney: "If you can do anything else don't preach." What did that teach about being misunderstood as communicator?


She said "If we go by that line we'd only get people preaching who can't do anything else," meaning she misunderstood intent—not critical but insightful feedback showing statement needs explanation so not misunderstood as discouraging capable people from preaching.


Brother Carney meant unless passion for preaching simply won't allow doing anything else—it’s not inability but irrepressible calling driving commitment no fallback plan allowed—which Paul expressed "woe unto me if I preach not gospel" meaning misery without fulfilling divine call rather than mere judgment threat afterlife.


Brother Carney's point matches Joshua’s "choose whom you'll serve"—success comes when call accepted without fallback plan—as story goes John F Kennedy asked where back door at Alamo because if there were none heroes wouldn’t exist illustrating no retreat mindset needed for true commitment especially amid modern culture craving options ("if this doesn’t work I'll try something else").


So success thrives on decisive commitment embodying identity rather than contingency plan—that's what he meant by "don’t preach if can do anything else."


You walk through rewriting David & Goliath paragraph swapping passive for active language—what shift does this create? Why does it matter?


Passive language lacks energy—it’s called passive because verbs lack action whereas active vivid verbs/adjectives condense story powerfully creating mental pictures drawing audience into narrative vividly rather than dry facts alone—which holds attention especially vital for oral communication aiming beyond info transfer toward emotional response inspiring inward connection prompting action (not just shouting).


For example:


Passive: “From stream five stones chosen by David placed in pouch.”


Active: “David moved onto battlefield unarmed except sling used since boyhood... crouched at shallow stream carefully choosing five smooth round stones placed pouch continuing toward destiny... Goliath incensed seeing shepherd boy ‘What am I—a dog?’”


Same facts conveyed but vivid imagery & cadence engage listener emotionally creating memorable experience essential for effective preaching impacting hearts beyond mere knowledge transmission.


What about object lessons? You mention sunglass sermon straddling gimmick vs real illustration?


A friend preached from “Now we see through glass darkly...” titling sermon “When I Take My Sunshades Off.” It fit his personality though might seem gimmicky elsewhere—I tried it once putting on sunglasses during sermon causing laughter but felt less effective than hoped illustrating risk using props which can distract unless natural fit especially outside children’s ministry where more playful methods accepted—but must ensure illustrations remain apt & respectful enhancing message rather than detracting by seeming comical or glitzy especially in general congregation settings requiring sobriety alongside engagement.


Another important sermon part is purpose statement—you say it's most important step building sermon—what’s difference between fuzzy vs sharp purpose statement?


Purpose statement (aka take-home truth/thesis) clearly defines what sermon aims to say & accomplish—in one concise sentence ideally (two sentences only after decades experience).


Fuzzy statements beat around bush causing unclear sermons losing audience understanding whereas sharp statements guide entire sermon structure ensuring every illustration/scripture/doctrinal point tightly integrates advancing central thought preventing confusion or distraction keeping flow coherent leading audience logically through message avoiding zoning out due inability tracking connections (“Why did he mention David when talking about Joshua?”).


Example: Great illustration might be cut if doesn’t fit purpose even if powerful otherwise (“No Back Door at Alamo” story)—better saved for another sermon than forcing irrelevant content causing disconnect weakening impact because audience wastes effort figuring relevance instead receiving clear unified message driving response desired by preacher focusing strictly on advancing single clear purpose throughout sermon components acting like tour bus guiding passengers smoothly from start through sights ending at destination (“signing on dotted line”) without detours confusing journey or losing riders en route due lack clarity/connection among stops (points).


On closing sermons—you mention closing like salesman closing deal not summary—tell us more?


Teaching lessons often end summarizing points reinforcing learning via repetition helpful there—but sermons close differently aiming not primarily educating but persuading decision/response praying repenting believing etc.—closing intentionally brings audience deliberately to point signing metaphorical contract embracing message rather than merely reviewing content repetitively (though some repetition may occur naturally).


Great preachers invest heavily crafting openings drawing listeners followed by carefully designed closings sealing deal sometimes offering multiple closings responding dynamically if spirit moves them recognizing ultimate goal is eliciting response/action not just informed attendance remembering preacher’s job isn’t making sure everyone recalls stories used but ensuring they act upon divine message conveyed effectively culminating altar calls inviting tangible spiritual decisions reflecting heartfelt engagement beyond intellectual agreement alone demonstrating lasting transformation desired outcome driving ministry success focused sharply throughout sermon beginning-to-end around clear purpose facilitating powerful closing responses yielding fruit spiritually meaningful beyond mere words spoken alone guiding listeners practically into changed lives empowered by God’s truth actively embraced rather than passively heard forgotten soon after leaving pews behind as empty vessels lacking impact intended by preacher’s diligent preparation led ultimately by Holy Spirit empowering word delivered authentically sincerely connecting heart-to-heart within congregation contextually fitting occasion needs inspiring faith-filled decisions moving lives forward eternally significant beyond momentary entertainment or information transfer alone marking preacher’s true effectiveness measured by changed lives evidencing God’s power released through faithful proclamation inviting genuine encounter transforming souls forevermore increasingly fulfilled across decades ministry labor invested wisely maintaining focus centered unwaveringly on ultimate goal producing visible fruit consistent with divine calling entrusted faithfully stewarded responsibly throughout entire sermon crafting process shaped consciously around clear purposeful design fostering powerful altar responses confirming successful communication bridging heaven-earth effectively reaching human hearts deeply touched stirred motivated ultimately leading abundant life offered freely through gospel powerfully preached lovingly embraced courageously lived daily thereafter manifesting kingdom growth visibly multiplying discipleship fruitfulness glorifying God unmistakably proclaiming Christ crucified risen reigning eternally triumphant sovereign Lord forevermore amen!


Thank you for sharing these profound insights today!


Copyright © 2026 Ryan Franklin. All rights reserved.


 
 
 

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